2022 marked the 20-year anniversary of Timor Leste’s Independence, and the formation of one of the country’s leading voices of activism, the Dili Allstars. With their spirit and art rooted in resistance, their music speaks of peaceful protest in the struggle for liberation. Founding members Paulie Stewart (Painters & Dockers) and Gil Santos, and all subsequent band members, have been involved with the East Timor struggle, losing family and friends, homes and security in the Indonesian invasion of 1975. These days, the band is keeping the music, culture and art of Timor Leste alive through storytelling, social engagements with the community and mentoring young people.

FREE EVENT
The full 10 piece Ethiofunk supertrip legislating the groove.

Award winning ensemble, Black Jesus Experience (BlX) is a twelve piece band playing an irresistibly danceable alloy of traditional Ethiopian song and 21st Century groove. Black Jesus Experience’s music reflects the multicultural vibrancy of the band’s hometown, Melbourne, Australia.

Singer Enushu began entertaining her local community as a child in Addis Ababa, migrating to Australia bringing hauntingly beautiful compositions inspired by her remarkable life story and the unique vocal traditions of Ethiopia. Enushu is joined on vocals by poetic giant and lyrical miracle Mr Monk, Zimbabwe born and Outback bred.

When not touring BJX run a weekly session at cultural hub The Horn creating new songs live on stage featuring guest, a practice that lies in the improvising traditions of that feed BJX including Hip Hop, Jazz, Azmari and Funk.

BJX’s fourth album ‘Migration’ won ‘The Age-Music Victoria Best Global Album 2014’ award. Their most recent album, ‘To Know Without Knowing’ was The Guardian Jazz Album of the Month, with 4 Star reviews from The Times, Blues + Soul, NPR Radio and more. More recently they latest double album release saw them shoot to the top of the World Music Charts in Europe and to great acclaim locally.

2022 saw the band release the eagerly anticipated double vinyl album, ‘Good Evening Black Buddha’ to global acclaim.

Performance highlights for BJX include touring “the Motherland” Ethiopia four times, performing with Ethiojazz legend Mulatu Astatke in Africa (most notably at the United Nations in Addis Ababa commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and The African Union), in Europe and Australia (The Age Best National Tour 2013), and at Glastonbury and other great international festivals.

The rhymes and chimes of Black Jesus Experience deliver the power and beauty of Africa through the vocal prism of Hip-Hop and freedom of Funk.

**** “Beautifully layered and organic, trippy and hypnotic. This is the good stuff, don’t waste a drop of it”
Blues And Soul Magazine

“Ancient to modern sensibility. Rammed with more rhythm-stretching melody than its groove ought to have room for.”
The Guardian – John Fordham

**** “Volcanic.. fusillades of brass and percussion.. spiraling rhythms.. starkly hypnotic.“
The Times – Clive Davis

https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au/festival-program/friday/section-a-civic-square

2022 marks the 20-year anniversary of Timor Leste’s Independence from Indonesian occupation, and the formation of one of the leading voices of activism, the Dili Allstars. With their spirit and art rooted in resistance, their music speaks of peaceful protest in the struggle for liberation.

The band formed in the early 1990’s, with founding members, Paulie Stewart (Painters & Dockers) and Gil Santos, coming together to record a song as a form of protest at the capture of East Timorese resistance leader Xanana Gusmão, by Indonesian armed forces in the early nineties. Both Santos and Stewart and all subsequent band members had a shared involvement with the East Timor struggle, as they had all lost family and friends, homes and security in the Indonesian invasion of 1975.

The band expanded and hit the road, touring extensively both in Australia and abroad, and recorded two albums; as well as music for the ARIA award-winning Balibo soundtrack, and the Australian Canadian tele-movie Answered By Fire.

The Dili Allstars anthem, ‘Liberdade’ was picked up by Mushroom and appeared on a compilation (also titled 'Liberdade') which the band helped to assemble. The album also featured MidnightOil, Crowded House, and Yothu Yindi, and went on to raise $100,000 for East Timor. On the back of this commercial success, the Dili’s were invited to perform at the Tour Of Duty Benefit Concert in Timor in front of 150,000+ people, and shared the stage with the likes of John Farnham and Kylie Minogue, and have since played with some of Australia’s greats.

These days, the band is keeping the music, culture and art of Timor Leste alive through storytelling, social engagements with the community, and mentoring the youth. All band members are involved in projects that shine a light on next generation

• "Naturaleza" Worldwide Single Launch: 8 May, 10am
• FB Live Stream Concert: 8 May, 8pm
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‘Naturaleza’ (Mother earth) is the latest single by dynamic Colombian-Australian outfit Amaru Tribe led by Aria Nominated artist and producer, Oscar Jimenez AKA ChibCha and Singer/Visual Artists Katherine Gailer.

This beautifully constructed track produced by Richard Blair (Sidestepper) and featuring The Black Sistaz is a testament of the artists ability to layer music with culture, history, nature and an Indigenous flavour that was born in the spiritual heart of Australia, Alice Springs.

The single will be available on all online music platforms from FRIDAY 8th of MAY from 10am including: Spotify, Bandcamp, Deezer, Apple Music, etc.

Written, arranged and co-produced by Oscar Jimenez and co-written by Jose Nieto (English version co-written by Jesse Witney) during a visit to Ntaria Aboriginal Community (also known as Hermannsburg) back in 2013.

This song will take you on a Global journey through the Dreaming of the outback, the beating metropolis of Colombia where Cumbia rhythms slide under your skin, and vocals by The Black Sistaz, transporting us to where the sacred feminine rises to meet you in West Papua.

SONG CREDITS:

Produced by Richard Blair and Oscar Jimenez
Mixed by Richard Blair

Recorded at Pocket Studios (Bogota, Colombia)
Additional Recording overdubs at Chango Records (Bogota, Colombia)
and Vibrating Planet (Melbourne, Australia)

Musicians on this recording:

Katherine Gailer Art - Vocals
Oscar Alfonso Jimenez - Vocals and Acoustic Guitar
Emiliano Manuel Beltzer - Bass
Cristian Manuel Saavedra - Percussion
Abraham Alejandro Dunovits - Electric Guitar and Ukelele
Jose M Tortabu - Drums

Guest Musician: Paloma Bica - Violin

Special Guest Vocalists: The Black Sistaz

Single cover design by Katherine Gailer Art

DOORS OPEN 7PM // MUSIC STARTS 8.45PM

Maubere Timor is an ensemble of Indigenous Timorese veterans who spread their love of music through sharing real stories and songs of their heroic history as freedom fighters for their nation’s Independence. In doing so, they are keeping the memory of the resistance movement alive for future generations.

Embarking on their first Australian tour, taking in Womadelaide 2020, catch Maubere Timor in an intimate show where storytelling and sharing of culture lures you in with sounds encapsulating the island vibes of an ancient melodic tradition, along with modern influences that take the listener on a journey like no other. Prepare to be moved.

https://www.facebook.com/events/555107881940974/

This Sunday at 2pm AMARU TRIBE plays a special show for you at St Kilda Festival on the Alfred Square Stage!
Its been a while since we played back at this wonderful event which brings some amazing local and national acts like Drmngnow, Kylie Auldist, Stonefield and more..!
We have a great show prepared for you!

St KILDA FEST is FREE!! So see you all there...

Special thanks to Tan Zania and Paulo Almeida from Sona Productions for the gig. You guys are the best!

WHAT: AMARU TRIBE at St Kilda Fest
WHERE: ALFRED SQUARE STAGE (9 Alfred Square, St Kilda VIC 3182)
WHEN: 2pm

Catch Oscar Jimenez , Singer-Songwriter and producer, known as the charismatic lead singer of ARIA nominated band Watussi and AMARU TRIBE, nominated for Best Roots and World Music Album at The Age Music Awards in 2017 for their debut self-titled Album LIVE and DIRECT at The Penny Black on May 31st.

Joining Oscar on stage is Christian Saavedra (Quarter Street Orchestra) on timbales and percussion as well as some very special guests - swing through and witness the contagious oceanic cumbia sounds for yourself!

+ Special guest DJ nicopixx (Colombia) playing Champeta, Dancehall, Cumbia, Afrobeat...!

Palais-Hepburn is proud to host a World Music Party bringing the party vibe your way.

Sol Nation are the product of Melbourne's communal musical scene - at its heart lies the reggae experience of Paulo Almeida (The Dili Allstars), the rock charisma of Colin Badger (Painters and Dockers), and the soulful Queen of funk, Katti Môni, the Ace of Bass, Miss Ann Metry, the samba-reggae legend Mark Grunden on drums, Timorese maestro Acez Tamba Zeca Mesquita on percussion and the ever-handsome, multi-talented, Mikki bringing it home on keys.

With INFECTIOUS rhythms, worldly lyrics and impassioned musicianship, Sol nation takes you from Dili to Cairns, Lisbon to Rio, and draws upon a wealth of international musical culture to bring you a melting pot of Reggae, Samba, Funk, Salsa, East Timorese folk and African music.

East Timorese vocalist Almeida, is the voice of Sol Nation, soaring and weaving through the music in a mixture of English, Portuguese and Tetum, a product of his life experience living in several different countries during his homeland's occupation by Indonesia. "The band is more than the sum of its parts, though," says Almeida. "It's about having a good time, having a dance, and enjoying the global mixture of music that we've found here in Melbourne."

The band have toured nationwide and internationally from dancing up a storm in Arnhem Land to featuring at some of the best festivals nationwide, such as Woodford Folk Festival, Moomba, Port Fairy Folk Festival, AWME, St Kilda Festival, Brunswick Festival, Reggaetown, White Night and Globe 2 Globe, to name a few. The band have toured through East Timor and recently returned from touring Malaysia where they were one of the headliners for the Langkawi Island International Music Festival.

All combined, Sol Nation has created one of the most exuberant, colourful, intoxicating and exciting live shows in Australia. With a charismatic, high energy, infectious live show, and a strong global conscience, Sol Nation is a unique and must-see Australian musical experience. They guarantee a performance to remember.

Joining the party are Maya Rose and Kingstone.

Maya Rose is a R&B singer-songwriter from Castlemaine. Winner of Battle of the Bands, Castlemaine heat (2017), 20 year old Maya mesmerizes audiences with her soulful vocals, moving lyrics and compelling sounds on keyboard. Maya will release her debut single on April 26 and EP later in 2019.

This is a night that will go down in the books!
TIX through OZTIX - link coming soon!

Ajak Kwai is an icon of South Sudanese music in Australia. As one of the very few women playing and writing music, Ajak carries the torch as cultural ambassador for her community and more broadly for women in the music industry.

In 2018, Ajak performed at Dark Mofo at MONA FOMA and completed a highly acclaimed national ‘Afro Frequency’ tour with Lamine Sonko and the African Intelligence.

Ajak debuted at WOMADelaide in 2016 and followed up with the release of her third CD Of Cows, Women and War.

Playing countless festivals and cultural events throughout the past few years, some highlights have been the Port Fairy Folk Festival, Alice Springs' Eye of the Storm Writers' Festival, Melbourne International Arts Festival and The Age Music Victoria Awards.

In 2014 Ajak was awarded the African-Australia Community Female Singer of the Year and performed of her one-woman theatrical work Of Cows, Women and War at La Mama theatre (Melbourne) and the Adelaide Fringe Festival.

Ajak Kwai and her band are a four piece percussion based outfit based in Melbourne. Hailing from all corners of the Earth, the band come together to produce a rich, soulful sound, infused with traditional beats representing both the fullness and depth of her South Sudanese roots. Her performances are filled with vibrant sounds and her distinctive voice has mesmerised audiences nationally and internationally.

Singing in Arabic, Sudanese or English, Ajak conjures a vivid picture of her Dinka heritage.

Music is the vehicle for her stories of extraordinary life experiences as a refugee, exiled from her home and her family. Her moving tales of exile, hope, freedom, love, and cows - beloved animals of the Dinka - in turn reflect her optimism and belief in the best of human nature.

Brace yourself – this year’s Moomba long weekend is set to be one of the biggest yet!

Rally up the family and gather your mates for a fun-filled Moomba long weekend. Featuring everything from circus workshops and lessons on how to nail tricks on your skateboard to silent discos and photo-ops with Minions, this year’s program has something for everyone.

Get ready for 2 days of non-stop music, gourmet food, regionally made wine and boutique Melbourne beers at this year’s Mordialloc Food, Wine & Music Festival.

We’ve got performances from local and international artists across three stages. Our headliners this year are The Vaudeville Smash and Ash Grunwald.

A variety of food and beverage vendors to suit all tastebuds. Roving performers and kids activities providing family friendly fun.

Highlights include:
- Freeza Chill-out
- The Whale's Tale (Show times: Saturday 2 March, 11:30am and 5pm)

Don’t forget this event is family-friendly and smoke-free. In addition, no dogs, chairs or BYO alcohol are allowed.

We look forward to seeing you there and don’t forget to check out our online program at www.kingston.vic.gov.au/mordifest

Each February, over three days under the glorious Canberra summer sunshine, something very special unfolds in the heart of Civic, Australia’s premier celebration of cultural and linguistic diversity — the National Multicultural Festival. More than 200,000 people flock to the heart of the capital to enjoy and participate in the annual event.

The National Multicultural Festival actively involves more than 350 community groups, using scores of different languages, up to 70 diplomatic missions and dozens of national and local businesses through participation and sponsorship.

There’s food from every corner of the world with over 300 stalls. There’s live music and dancing happening on six stages across the Festival footprint and there’s fun for every member of the family.

www.multiculturalfestival.com.au

In a show NOT TO BE MISSED, join Aboubacar Djéliké Kouyate on his Australian tour as he brings the spirit of Africa and the flavour of Africa and France to the Mornington Peninsula.

Join us at Gods Kitchen, Mornington to see an incredible International artist bring a high-energy and full-flavoured show to our friends on the Coast.

Hailing from Mali and now residing in France, Aboubacar’s music fuses traditional African sounds and instruments with modern day twist on the ancient rhythms and patterns born from Jeli tradition.

He brings an exuberant and contemporary interpretation to the traditional 'griot' art form, combining his masterful command of voice, instrument, rhythm, conscious lyrics and fellow musicians into compelling performance that will intoxicate you and get your feet moving.

Aboubacar has assembled an incredible Melbourne band including Ziggy Zeitgeist(30/70) on drums, Liam Powell on bass, Kofi Kunkpe on djembe, Martin Case on Sax and John Oh on guitar.

In a show NOT TO BE MISSED, Aboubacar Djéliké Kouyate performs his incredible brand of Afro-Fusion to the South of the river, bringing with him the spirit of Africa and the flavour of France, to The Fyrefly

Hailing from Mali and now residing in France, Aboubacar’s music fuses traditional African sounds and instruments with modern day twist on the ancient rhythms and patterns born from Jeli tradition.

He brings an exuberant and contemporary interpretation to the traditional 'griot' art form, combining his masterful command of voice, instrument, rhythm, conscious lyrics and fellow musicians into compelling performance that will intoxicate you and get your feet moving.

Aboubacar has assembled an incredible Melbourne band including Ziggy Zeitgeist (30/70) on drums, Liam Powell on bass, Kofi Kunkpe on djembe, Martin Case on Sax and John Oh on guitar.

Don't miss your opportunity to see this incredible performer on his Australia Tour.

You're invited to an enjoyable summer's day full of activities, entertainment and celebrate the things we have in common at the Australia Day Festival at Dandenong Park.

This is a free, all ages event.

Sol Nation will be performing around 6pm on the Main Stage

For more information visit www.greaterdandenong.com/ausdayfest

Location: Dandenong Park, Cnr Pultney and Foster Street, Dandenong

Step inside the wonderland that is the Nightjar Festival! Over 8 weeks in summer you will be immersed in the magical atmosphere of music, roving performers, buskers, culinary delights and market stalls.

See Ajak Kwai closing this festival on the main stage in Torquay around 7pm.

Location is in Torquay – Torquay Common, Surf Beach Drive.  Enter near the corner of Bell St and the Great Ocean Road or walk across from Spring Creek Reserve (Torquay Football Club)

Nightjar Festival Torquay – Thursday nights in January
Nightjar in the City Geelong – Friday nights in February

Mali Meets Melbourne at New Years Evie at Tallarook in country Victoria this NYE.

Check socials and website for Festival details.

Ticket link is https://tickets.oztix.com.au/Default.aspx?Event=93906

Website  https://www.newyearsevie.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/newyearsevie_/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/newyearseviefestival/

Join the 444Hz Loop Pedal Ninja KENTA HAYASHI at Horse Bazzar, Melbourne CBD on December 20.

**JUST ANNOUNCED - Joining Kenta for a rare acoustic performance is Kattimoni, a powerhouse Melbourne soul-empress vocalist fronting a fiery funk line-up from around the globe, with vibrant and energetic groove-based funk rhythms, an explosive horn section and conscious soul uplifting lyrics. An inspirational muse, her music radiates a perfect fusion of contemporary soul with the essence of old-school retro funk roots that empowers a message of hope, rising up and transformation. Catch her in her essence playing a very rare acoustic show supporting Kenta Hayashi. You can expect the trademark Kattimoni conscious vibrations, uplifting, inspiring and bringing the good times. 

Wondering what a 444Hz ninja is? Read on and be amazed....

444Hz tuning. Japanese singer-songwriter and loop pedal ninja KENTA HAYASHI takes the term ‘one man band’ to the next level, creating an orchestra of sound by layering vocals, guitar, effects and percussion.

The result is a fusion of psychedelic dubbed out journeys surrounded by soundscapes and an overtone of harmonies
on a rhythmic foundation - all created live by Kenta through the use of his loop pedal.”

Kenta focuses on the vibration of music. The vibrations he creates resonate with the natural frequency of the water in our bodies, 444Hz, like a healing meditational process.
Kenta's live show is full of epic tension and release.
Big layered build ups and sparse breakdowns with trance-like grooves. 

KENTA HAYASHI has been on his World Tour with many shows and festivals through out the year. (over 200 shows a year)
(25 countries so far in 2017 Europe, U.K, Australia, Asia, American, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala) 

Kenta also produces electronic music as he travels the world,
he records various sounds (different languages, nature sounds, noises, etc), samples, combining the powerful energy of his live performance with the endless sonic possibilities of electronic production. It’s called Atnek.

TIX presale are $10 or $15 on the door. Limited space and tickets available

Join us at Howler Melbourne on Sunday October 21st for a day of celebration raising funds and awareness for the #FreeWestPapuacampaign in these global concerts. 

Join The Black Sistaz, Black Orchid Stringband Sol Nation and Mitch Tambo for an afternoon of music, dancing, community, freedom and blessings! 

For the last two years, bands, promoters, venues, and human rights advocates have all joined forces to collectively use music as a weapon by Rockin For West Papua. Over the course of the same weekend more than 75 bands, in 33 cities, on 4 different continents have stood in solidarity with the people of West Papua to shine a light on the ongoing genocide and human rights abuses.

Australian coordinator for the Free West Papuan campaign Ash Brennan said: “Music has always been an inspiration to me as it has to people around the world, rich or poor. West Papuans use music to tell their stories, but it is illegal to play these songs in West Papua. The penalty is 15 years prison. I’m excited that musicians and artists from around the world are coming together for the third year running to stand with West Papua, to show music, art and human spirit can defeat tyranny.”

Rockin for West Papua has raised vital funds for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, creating real hope for the oppressed peoples of West Papua. Including the funding of a ULMWP delegation trip to the United Nations in New York to deliver a petition for freedom signed by 1.8 million West Papuans.

“Indonesia has tanks and guns. We West Papuans only have guitars. Music is our weapon for Freedom.” – Benny Wenda, Chairman of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua

Watch >> https://vimeo.com/249369927
Stream >> https://vimeo.com/150659168
Listen >> open.spotify.com/user/1256688259/playlist/0xsUj4mo5udTMFCELyi45a

Media Contacts:
Free West Papua Campaign
Australia – Ash Brennan ash@freewestpapua.org
U.K. – Kate Izlanti kate@freewestpapua.org
USA – Jewell Faamaligi jewell@freewestpapua.org